Flume divider



J. D. COFFEE FLUME DIVIDER March 14, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 5, 1946 IN VEN TOR.

Jaaep/v D Co 2 fee A TTOPNEV J. D. COFFEE FLUME DIVIDEB March 14, 1950 Filed Sept. 5, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

Joseph 0 Coffee A TTOPNEY Patented Mar. 14, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FLUME DIVIDER Joseph D. Coifee, Pueblo, 0010.

Application September 3, 1946, Serial No. 694,634

6 Claims. 1

This invention relates to flume dividing boxes or weirs, and more particularly to flume dividing boxes or weirs which are adapted to dividing a stream of water flowing in the flume, into two or more equal parts, or predetermined proportions.

Heretofore the water flowing in flumes has been divided either by a side gate take-off, or by natural gates placed in the flume, but it has been necessary to measure not only the amount of water flowing down the flumes, but also the amount of water flowing down the side or take-off ditches. Needless to say, many inaccuracies are involved in the operation of such a divider, among which are the accumulations of silt and debris, which settle in and around such boxes and impair their accuracy so'that too much attention must be paid to the measurement. Also, when the water rights of those who are entitled to receive water from the ditch, vary in predetermined proportions, it is often difficult to calculate the exact amount of water received by each water right owner, without undue time and efiort being consurned in measuring the flow down the take-01f ditches.

The flume divider or weir of this invention is particularly applicable to instances in which the water right owners are entitled to a predetermined proportion of the water flowing down the ditch, i. e, each of two owners may be entitled to 50% of the water, or each of three owners may be entitled to 33 of the water, or any number of owners may be entitled to any predetermined proportion of the water. The divider of this invention keeps the proportional division accurate due to prevention of the usual silt and trash accumulations generally prevalent in an open ditch or flume.

In accordance with this invention, a flume divider is constructed with a crest disposed at the top of a relatively steep upward slope and receives water directly from the ditch, imparting an upward component thereto which keeps the upward slope swept clear of silt and debris. On the downstream side of the crest is a downwardly sloping section having substantial parallel side walls, which produce a flow of even depth across the width of the slope. At the lower end of the slope, there is a trough sufiiciently deep to produce a fall which releases any entrained air, thus insuring that, after the water passes over the edge of the fall, its depth and rate of flow will be substantially uniform across the width of the weir. Dividing plates, extending vertically in the direction of the flow, and up to the edge of the fall, divide the uniform depth of water flowing over the fall, into predetermined proportions, in accordance with the distance between two dividing plates, or between a dividing plate and the side wall of the weir. A single dividing plate at the center of the fall will divide the flow into two equal parts, while two dividing plates, spaced onethird of the way across the edge of the fall, will divide the flow into three equal parts. It will be understood, of course, that the position of the plates may be varied in accordance with the proportion of the water which each user is entitled to receive.

Flume dividers or weirs, constructed in accordance with the above principles of this invention, are illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. l is a top plan view of a flume divider or weir constructed in accordance with this invention, and adapted to guide the flow of water in a fiume or ditch into two equal parts;

Fig. 2 is a top plan View of a fiume divider or weir adapted to divide the flow of water into three equal parts;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical section of the fiume divider of Fig. 2, taken along line 33 thereof;

Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical section looking upstream and taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 5 is a transverse vertical section looking downstream and taken along 5-5 of Fig. 3.

The flume divider of Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 comprises an upstream apron Ill which slants upwardly at a relatively sharp angle to a crest H, and provided with converging side walls i2, which merge with parallel side walls It, a substantial distance upstream from crest II. The ditch l4 may be provided with earthen walls i5 which lap over the side walls i2, as in Figs. 2 and 5, so as to prevent any by-passing and to minimize erosion at the point of the flume divider.

Immediately downstream of crest i i is a down wardly sloping apron it which extends between parallel side walls it to an edge i! of a transverse vertical wall l8, which provides a fall for the water into a trough 19, from which continuation ditches 20 of Fig. 1, and 21 of Fig. 2, and/or lateral ditches 22 of Fig. 2 lead.

One vertical longitudinal dividing plate 23. as in Fig. l, or two vertical longitudinal dividing plates 24, as in Figs. 2 to 4, inclusive, or any desirednumber of dividing plates in accordance with the number of proportions into which the water is to be divided, are installed in trough iii. The upper edge of the dividing plates 22, 23 and 24 are level with the edge I! of vertical wall l8, although they may extend slightly above the level of edge M, if desired. In order to permit the escape of air underneath the water falling over edge I1, diverging walls 25 of Fig. 1, or laterally extending side walls 26 of Fig. 2, provide a greater width below wall 18, than above.

The fiume divider of this invention is normally constructed of concrete and angle irons, although any othersuitable materials may be used where desired. Thus, an angle iron 28 may be installed at crest II, and angle iron 29 at edge ll of the vertical wall l8, as is more clearly evident from Fig. 3. Also, angle irons 3!] may be provided at the downstream edges of substantially parallel side walls I3, as in Figs. 2 and 4. Dividing plates 23, 24 and 25 -may'be-vmounted in concrete pillars 3|, as in Fig. 4, to maintain the same in position. Preferably, the side walls 12 and. I3 diverge slightly outwardly, so that the water that might remain in' the flume or ditch, in freezing will not tendto break the concrete, but the-ice will merely tend to lift itself out .of the fiume;

The dividing plate 23 of Fig. 1 is adapted to divide the stream flowing down sloping apron l into two equalparts, anda portion of the continuation ditches may also be made of concrete, with a center, wedge-shaped pillar 32 extending to thefull' height of the ditch walls, and adapted to minimize erosion of the ditch Walls. Similarly, pillars 3! may be provided between the continuation ditch 2i and the lateral ditches 22 "of Fig 2. Thendiverging sidewalls ZE-and theisides of pillar 32 'of Fig.1, as well as the lateralside walls 2fisand the sides of pillars. 3!

of Fig. 2, also preferably diverge upwardly, to prevent damage .-to the .concrete by freezing.

Whilethe ilume dividers of this invention accurately'rdivide the water into predetermined proportions, it frequently will be desired to measure theditch flow in order to utilize the allotted flow tobest advantage, andfor this purpose, a gauge 34, adapted to indicate the depth of water 'fiowing between substantially'parallel side walls 13, and down apron [6, may beinstalled on one side wall 13, as in Figs. 1 and 3. In addition, each of the diverging-sidewalls 25, asin Fig. 1, may be-provided with agauge 35, adapted to indicate the depth'ofwater in the continuation ditches 20. Similar gaugesmay be placed on the side walls of the continuation ditch 2| and lateral ditches v22 of Fig. 2, if desired.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the fiume dividers use fulfills to a marked degree the requirements and objects hereinbefore set forth. The'upwardly sloping apron l0 tends to'equalize the rate of flow between surface and sub-surface currents, as well as preventing an accumulation of silt at crest H, and the converging side -walls I! assist in the production of a uniform flow of water across the crest H. The downstream spacing of crest l i from the upstream intake and the arrangement of substantially'parallel side walls l3 contribute considerably to theuniformity of flow, as the apron l0 extends upwardly over a considerable portion of the distance between substantially parallel side walls I3 and exerts its greatest leveling influence in this stretch. The slope of downstream apron I6 need not be great, and a slope of one foot per inch will be suflicient for most cases. The position of the dividing plates on the downstream side of the vertical wall l8, andthe depth 'of trough l9- insures thatthedividing plates will be operating on a falling stream of water which remains substantially uniform in depth across the width of the Weir.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that the divider box of the present invention is positive in its action under varying conditions. The substantial angular elevation of the bottom in the intake portion coupled with the narrowing of the intake provided by the arrangement of walls l2 interrupts the normal flow of the incoming stream regardless of its depth. Thus; any tendency of the water to channel and run faster and in greater volume in a given portion of the stream is offset by the narrowing of said stream and the elevation of its bottom flow at reducing velocity.

At the crest, the flow is uniform throughout the extent of the stream and'to prevent any silt deposit or similar condition which might produce an unequal flow beyond the crest, the apron i5 declines from said crest'at a-sufiiicent angle to'produce an accelerated rate of flow'which keeps-this portion of the dividerbox swept clean of debris. With the flow-directing contour provided, the distance from the crest l l to the edge H is too short for any flow irregularities to develop,-and consequently. a uniform distribution of flow is maintained at the fall.

The expanding area of the side walls and the declining bottom arrangement in the dividing or discharge portion of the divider box serves to prevent anyfalse level' ccndition that otherwise might result from entrainment of air, while the slope of the bottom in this portion servestoprevent any accumulation of'silt or other debris which might produce inaccurate levels at'the division'points. Finally, the'depth and area of trough I 9 in relation to the volume of the stream flowing downapron it provides overcapacity volume for any such flowthat'may be delivered thereto. By locating'the division membersat substantially the same elevation as the top of wall it; an accurate distribution is insured at all times, regardless of variations in flow.

Although two embodiments of this invention have been described with particularity, it will be evidentthat other embodiments may exist and that various changesmay be made, all without departing from the spirit and scope ofthis invention as defined in the hereunto appended claims.-

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent-is:

l. A divider box for flumes comprising an intake portion having an upwardlysloping bottom, an intermediate portion having a substantially level bottom, and a discharge portion having a bottom at a lower level than the bottom ofsaid intermediate portion, a vertical wall connecting the bottom of'said intermediate portion and the bottom of said discharge portion, side walls on said bottom: portions, the side walls converging in said intake portion, continuing parallel in said intermediate portion, and parallel but at a greater distance apart in said'discharge portion, and divider members in'said dischargeportion dividing the flow over. the crest of said vertical wall.

2. A divider box for fiumes comprising a bottom, said bottom rising sharply in a downstream direction to a crest, falling on a slight decline a short distance, breaking sharply to form a vertical wall and continuing from the base of said wall, side walls converging to a point slightly upstream'from'th'e crestvof said-sharply rising bottom portion for increasing the rate of flow over said crest, diverging side walls downstream from the vertical wall, and a permanently supported divider member having its top edge at approximately the elevation of the top edge of the vertical wall extending from the vertical wall in the direction of fluid flow for dividing said flow into two channels.

3. A divider box for fiumes comprising an intake portion having an upwardly sloping bottom, an intermediate portion having a substantially level bottom, and a discharge portion having a bottom at a lower level than the bottom of said intermediate portion, a vertical wall connecting the bottom of said intermediate portion and the bottom of said discharge portion, side walls on said bottom portions, the side walls converging in said intake portion, continuing parallel in said intermediate portion, and at a greater distance apart in said discharge portion, and divider members in said discharge portion dividing the flow over the crest of said vertical wall.

4. A divider box for fiumes comprising an intake portion having an upwardly sloping bottom, an intermediate portion having a substantially level bottom, and a discharge portion having a bottom at a lower level than the bottom of said intermediate portion, a vertical wall connecting the bottom of said intermediate portion and the bottom of said discharge portion, side walls on said bottom portions, the side walls converging in said intake portion, continuing parallel in said intermediate portion, and at a greater distance apart in said discharge portion, and divider members in said discharge portion adjacent said vertical wall, said divider members having an upwardly disposed edge to divide a vertically falling flow of liquid.

5. A divider box for fiumes comprising a bottom, said bottom rising sharply in a downstream direction to a crest, falling on a slight decline a short distance, breaking sharply to form a substantially vertical wall and continuing from the base of said wall, outwardly sloping side walls above said bottom, said side walls converging to a point slightly upstream from the crest of said sharply rising bottom portion for increasing the rate of flow over said crest, diverging side walls downstream from the vertical wall and a permanently supported divider member having its top edge at approximately the elevation of the top edge of the vertical wall extending from the vertical wall in the direction of fluid flow for dividing a substantially vertical flow of liquid into a plurality of channels.

6. A divider box for fiumes comprising a bottom, said bottom rising sharply in a downstream direction to a crest, falling on a slight decline a short distance, breaking sharply to form a substantially vertical wall and continuing from the base of said wall, outwardly sloping side walls above said bottom, said side walls converging to a point slightly upstream from the crest of said sharply rising bottom portion for increasing the rate of flow over said crest, side walls at a greater distance apart downstream from the vertical Wall and a permanently supported divider member having its top edge at approximately the elevation of the top edge of the vertical wall extending from the vertical wall in the direction of fluid flow for dividing a substantially vertical flow of liquid into a plurality of channels.

JOSEPH D. COFFEE.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Danel Apr. 19, 1938 Number 

